Question

An 85-year old risk averse investor is not happy about the minimal return she is earning on her current investments. She is stressed about having enough income because her cost of living has been increasing by more than 10% annually. Her current portfolio composition consists of:

40% Money Market Fund
50% Bonds
10% Equities
What changes should you suggest to her portfolio?


A. Reduce the Money Market Fund allocation by 10% (to 30%) and put the released funds in commodities such as gold
B. Reduce the Money Market Fund allocation by 30% (to 10%) and put the released funds in AAA-rated corporate bonds
C. Liquidate the entire Money Market Fund allocation and put the released funds in Equities, bringing that allocation up to 50%
D. Liquidate the entire Money Market Fund allocation and put the released funds in U.S. Treasury securities

Answer 1

B. Reduce the Money Market Fund allocation by 30% (to 10%) and put the released funds in AAA-rated corporate bonds

Step-by-step explanation:

First of all, since the investor is risk averse and cannot afford to lose money on any risky investment, she should change the mix of her investment portfolio but without increasing risks. Corporate bonds that are AAA-rated carry a very low risk and pay a little higher than money market funds. So a small decrease in money market fund assets and an increase in AAA-rated bonds should yield a slightly higher return.

Investing in equities would be too risky and US Treasuries pay even less interests than money market funds.